Apparatus for filling and emptying reservoirs

ABSTRACT

A device for filling and emptying reservoirs through a lateral annular orifice providing a high through-put, low-speed fluid flow whose stream lines are slight and substantially equal right around the vertical axis of the device. The device includes a curved duct of constant cross-section whose wall portion on the side of the concavity substantially conforms to the shape of the fluid jet. An end of the duct opens vertically into a shaped diffusing opening covered by a deflector screen spaced from the shaped outlet.

United States Patent 1 1 1 1 3,782,416

Levin Jan. 1, 1974 APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND 2,669,254 2/1954 Mork 210 172 EMPTYING RESERVOIRS 2,732,071 l/1956 Crow 137/592 X [75] Inventor: Leon Levm, Seyssmet, France Primary E mminer Hemy T Klinksiek [73] Assignee: B.V.S., Grenoble, France Aflomeywilliam Kerkam.

[22] Filed: May 23, i972 21 Appl. No.: 256,025 [57 ABSTRACT A device for filling and emptying reservoirs through a lateral annular orifice providing a high through-put,

[301 Forelgn Application pnomy Data low-speed fluid flow whose stream lines are slight and June 28, 1971 France ..7l23434 Substantially equal right around the vertical axis of the 52 11.5. C1 137/590, 4/196, 210/172 device- The device includes f duct 9 constant [511 Im. c1. Fl7d 1/10 cmss'secfim' wall the of [58] Field of Search 4/17217, 172.18, cmcavity Substantially conforms to the Shape of the 4/195 19 137/5 210/172, 168, fluid jet. An end of the duct opens vertically into a 9 247, 304 305, 456 shaped diffusing opening covered by a deflector screen spaced from the shaped outlet.

[56] References Cited (11 121 5 5 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,122 8/l9ll Charmois 4/196 i 1 4' 7 L i f l 1 A I /X/ 71 t L .1 5 l l 3 APPARATUS FOR FILLING AND EMPTYING RESERVOIRS The invention relates to a reservoir filling and empty ing device which is suitable for large flow rates, while giving a low head loss and keeping the surface of the liquid as smooth as possible.

A device of this type, suitable more particularly for filling, is described in French Patent specification No. 1,508,344. It comprises an upwardly open dish with a vertical axis, into which the liquid supply duct opens tangentially, and which has at its centre a diffuser core which disperses the liquid in a sheet of revolution about an axis of the diffuser core.

A device embodying the invention permits the liquid to be both introduced and removed without excessive turbulence, minimizing waves and pulsations on the surface of the liquid, for example in a floating-cover reservoir. It enables one liquid to be injected into another at a high flow rate, the angle of the jet in the device and the low exit speed of the liquid injected, on account of the very small head, preventing emulsification of the liquids in contact.

According to the invention a reservoir filling and emptying device provides, through a lateral annular orifice, a high-flow-rate flow, the inclinations of whose stream lines are slight relative to the horizontal and substantially equal right around the vertical axis of the device, the device comprising a straight or curved duct through one end of which the fluid flows with a substantially constant speed distribution, the said end opening vertically and centrally, along the vertical axis of revolution, into a shaped diffusing opening covered by a shaped diffuser screen spaced from the opening, perpendicular to and of revolution relative to the axis of revolution of the outlet.

According to an important feature of the invention the duct, which is tubular and curved and has a reduced radius of curvature, is specially shaped to produce a flow which is without vibration and in which the jet of liquid does not detach from the wall. A duct of this type, described in French patent specification No. 1,599,173, and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 3,623,511 granted Nov. 30, 197i can give substantially constant speeds at all points of the cross-section at the outlet from the bend, and introduces only a slight head loss. The bend should have a straight length at least ten times the diameter of the pipe of the diffuser, so that the speeds in the line's outlet cross-section are uniformly distributed.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments, given by way of example and illustrated in the drawings:

FIG. 1 represents a vertical section through a device embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 represents an underside plan view of this device;

FIG. 3 represents a variant of the device;

FIG. 4 illustrates installation of a device embodying the invention beneath a tank cover or roof; and

FIG. 5 shows a device embodying the invention and the liquid supply ducts, installed above the bottom of the reservoir.

The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a diffusing opening 1 of revolution with a deflector screen or cover 2 of revolution perpendicular to the vertical axis C of revolution of the opening I. The cylindrical orifice 3 of revolution is formed between the opening 1 and cover 2. The diffusing opening 1 may be shaped to help the jet spread out over its periphery. The deflector cover 2 is also shaped and is formed of a dish 21 and of a conical tip 22 for dispersing the vertical central jet. Since the speed of the jet is equal at all points on its crosssection, the jet is therefore distributed regularly right around the device. The cover 2 bears a peripheral, an-

nular rounded portion 23 to facilitate the flow over its edge, particularly during emptying. The cover 2 is spaced from the opening by spacer tubes 5, the device being assembled by means of bolts 7. In the variant shown in FIG. 3 the shaped diffusing opening 1 of the device has a bulge defining the horizontal circular orifice to promote the flow.

The liquid preferably approaches or leaves the opening 1 in a special compact bend 4 fixed to the opening 1 by a flange 41 and collar 11 and to the horizontal liquid supply duct 6 by flanges 42 and 61. The duct 4, described in the above-mentioned patent specification, conforms in shape to the liquid jet in order to prevent any detachment of the jet from the inside surface of the bend and to maintain a constant live jet cross-section, that is to say, to keep the speed of the liquid constant.

In FIG. 1 the liquid flow is produced above the bottom of the reservoir 7, the ducts 4 and 6 running below the reservoir bottom. Alternatively, the device may be installed as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 shows an installation in which the liquid flow is produced below the roof or cover of a reservoir 7 or below the floating cover 7 of a reservoir, the ducts 4 and 6 being positioned above.

FIG. 5 illustrates the installation of the device in a reservoir 7 in a case in which it would be difficult or impossible to install the ducts 4 and 6 below the reservoir bottom, for example, if the filling and emptying system of an existing tank were being installed or modified. In FIG. 5 the opening 1 is' situated above the cover 2, the ducts 4 and 6 being submerged and inside the reservoir 7.

Obviously, the invention is not restricted to the details of the embodiment just described, which may be modified without exceeding the scope of the invention.

Tanks or other enclosures which are to be fitted with devices embodying the invention may have one device in the centre of their bottom or cover, or a plurality of devices distributed over them.

I claim:

1. A device for filling and emptying reservoirs through a lateral annular orifice providing a high through-put, low-speed fluid flow, the inclinations of whose stream lines are slight and substantially equal right around the vertical axis of the device, comprising a curved duct of varying shape and constant crosssection having a wall portion on the side of the concavity which conforms substantially to the shape of the fluid jet, one end of said duct opening vertically into a shaped diffusing opening, a deflector screen spaced from and covering the shaped opening, and a substantially frusto-conical central portion for said screen coaxial with said one end of said duct.

2. A device for filling and emptying reservoirs as de scribed in claim 1, said deflector screen being perpendicular to and of revolution relative to the axis of revolution of the opening, and means for promoting the flow during filling and emptying and comprising a rounded edge on the cover. 

1. A device for filling and emptying reservoirs through a lateral annular orifice providing a high through-put, low-speed fluid flow, the inclinations of whose stream lines are slight and substantially equal right around the vertical axis of the device, comprising a curved duct of varying shape and constant crosssection having a wall portion on the side of the concavity which conforms substantially to the shape of the fluid jet, one end of said duct opening vertically into a shaped diffusing opening, a deflector screen spaced from and covering the shaped opening, and a substantially frusto-conical central portion for said screen coaxial with said one end of said duct.
 2. A device for filling and emptying reservoirs as described in claim 1, said deflector screen being perpendicular to and of revolution relative to the axis of revolution of the opening, and means for promoting the flow during filling and emptying and comprising a rounded edge on the cover. 